Scotland’s top whisky distilleries

Take a tour of the best whisky distilleries in Scotland. Scotland is known for its whisky, Scotland has five distinct regions; Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. The different locations are important, affecting the whisky flavour because of the water source and presence of peat in the local area. We've summarised each region and handpicked the top distilleries to visit. 

Campbeltown

Campbeltown is the smallest out of the regions, with only three working distilleries, but its single malts are popular due to their unique characteristics; a slight maritime flavour. Campbeltown has also been dubbed one of the whisky capitals of the world. 

Visit

Glen Scotia Distillery is one of the smallest, founded in 1832, it’s whiskies have a slight smokiness due to the lightly peated malt barley used. Despite its size, it's one of the biggest names in Campbeltown.

One of the few working distilleries, Glengyle/Kilkerran has produced a rare single malt that is sold under the name of Kilkerran, which can be sampled on your visit during the tour.

Or visit Springbank Distillery, the only independent family-owned distillery in Scotland that still maintains its traditional machinery and methods of production. It uses a unique ‘two-and-a-half times’ distillation process and is the only distillery to use this.

Lowland

One of the most accessible whisky regions, the area covers popular destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife. Famous for lighter, unpeated whiskies which are sweet with grassy notes. Easy to travel around, you can make use of good transport links to visit multiple distilleries.

Visit

Explore The Annandale Distillery which was established in 1830 and has two signature malts named after national heroes Man O’Sword and Man O’Words (King Robert the Bruce and poet Robert Burns). The distillery is open for tours and also has a virtual and real-life Whisky Academy

Or visit the Glenkinchie Distillery, surrounded by farmland with nearby Lammermuir Hills. Its signature whisky is sweet, light and malty, a ‘softer’ taste for the palette. Prices begin at £8 for a standard tour with on whisky or opt for the £12 which includes a number of free samples.

Islay

Located just off the west coast, ‘whisky island’, is popular for characterful malts with a smokiness contributed from the peat and saltiness from the sea. Each year in May, it hosts a ‘Festival of Malt and Music’ known as Fèis Ìle.

Visit

Bowmore Distillery, the oldest on the island with a distilling process that hasn’t changed much in 200 years. Their whiskies embody the signature smokiness of the Island’s malts and interestingly, the distillation process at Bowmore warms up the nearby public swimming pool.

The Ardbeg Distillery produces whiskies that are deep, complex and steeped in peat smoke. Tours begin at only £5 per person and if you’re looking for a tasting experience, they have a three-hour-long warehouse experience with rare drams, casks and drawn samples.

The Highlands

The biggest geographical area for whisky, from Orkney in the north to the Isle of Arran in the south. Due to the size, the whiskies here are most diverse, some are peaty or smoky, others delicate or powerful. The water here is the purest, running through volcanic mountain rock.

Visit

Glen Ord Distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland who malt their own barley. Not available outside of Scotland, visit in person to sample their whisky.

The Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire is also one of the oldest in the Highlands, dating back to 1775. Visit for whisky tours, a wonderful on-site restaurant and you can even experience making whisky by hand.

Travel to the Isle of Jura Distillery, an island with incredible views of Jura’s rugged mountain landscape. Sample a wide selection of malts and book a tour to see how they craft their whiskies.

Speyside

Home to some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes, the region takes its name from the River Spey. The whiskies of this region are smoother, although still complex in taste and flavour, characterised by sweet and fruity notes. Speyside has the best of both worlds, smaller independent distilleries to some of the best known in the world. You can follow the Malt Whisky Trail to explore the very best of the area.

Visit

The Benromach Distillery is Speyside’s smallest distillery, using the finest malted barley with fresh spring water from Romach Hills. It offers tours for £6 and you even have the opportunity to create your own keepsake bottle.

The Benriach Distillery is located in the heart of the region, producing rare whiskies through unique distilling techniques (pagoda-style chimneys) to add the peated malted barley inside the barrel. The distillery isn’t open every day to the general public however, private tours can be arranged for £30.